Viña do Burato, 2008 Summum
$20: (80-year-old mencía vines; 12% alcohol)
Pleasant nose of pomegranate, red currant and mineral. Flavors of pomegranate and red currant fruit with a core of bracing minerality. An exemplary, delicious and eminently drinkable young Ribeira Sacra with loads of flavor, no oak and low alcohol. Score: 92 -G.W. (Wine News Sept/Oct/Nov 2009)
Pena do Lobo, 2007 Summum
$23: (mencía; 13% alcohol)
Enticing nose of ripe red currant and pomegranate tinged with graphite. Superbly balanced, perfectly ripe red currant and pomegranate flavors with a compelling minerality reminiscent of Graves or Chinon. Score: 94 -G.W. (Wine News Sept/Oct/Nov 2009)
Viña Caneiro, 2007 Summum
$26: (mencía; 13% alcohol)
Lovely nose of red fruit and mineral. Rich, complex flavors of red fruit, including pie cherry, red currant and pomegranate. Long, lingering, mineral finish. A stunning, steal-of-a-wine. Score: 96 -G.W. (Wine News Sept/Oct/Nov 2009)
D. Ventura
Viña Caneiro 2006
(un-oaked, unfiltered; 14%)
$26
Deep, plumy, murky red. Pure, rustic, ripe fruit, minerals. Big, rich, loaded with fruit, but very juicy and delicious with a long, intriguing earthy minerality in the finish. Superb. 92 pts. -G.W. (Wine News Oct/Nov 2007)
2007 D. Ventura Pena do Lobo Ribeira Sacra
91 Points
($23; 100% mencia) Vivid ruby color. Intensely perfumed aromas of cherry, blackcurrant, licorice and violet, with a kick of black pepper adding vivacity. Lively and sharply focused, offering gently sweet red and dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter cherry skin. Nicely blends power with energy, finishing with mineral-driven persistence and a lingering note of blackcurrant. - J.R.(International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2009)
2007 D. Ventura Vina Caneiro Ribeira Sacra
91 Points
($26; 100% mencia) Bright violet. Deeper-pitched than the Pena do Lobo, showing scents of blackberry, soy sauce, black olive and smoke, along with a spicy undertone. This very fresh wine offers sweet dark berry and cherry flavors and a strong mineral quality. Chewy, spicy and broad on the finish, with the blackberry and olive notes repeating. I'd come back to this in another couple of years. - J.R.(International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2009)
90 Points
2007 Pena do Lobo
Ribeira Sacra
$25; 100% mencía
Vivid red color. Peppery red- and blackcurrant aromas are complicated by musky underbrush and minerals. Smoky redcurrant and bitter cherry on the palate, with tangy acidity contributing cut and spine. Very fresh, food-flexible wine with noteworthy finishing lift and spiciness. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar 9/08)
90 Points
2007 Viña do Burato
Ribeira Sacra
$21; 100% mencía
Medium red. Musky cherry and cassis on the nose, with subtle floral and mineral qualities. Juicy red fruits on the palate are framed and lifted by tangy acidity. Becomes sweeter with air, taking on a black raspberry quality and finishing with sneaky, sweet persistence. There's a pinot-like elegance here that I find appealing. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar 9/08)
89 Points
2006 D Ventura, Viña do Burato
Ribeira Sacra
$16; 100% mencia
Light purple. Primal redcurrant and raspberry aromas are brightened by peppery minerality. Racy, sharply focused red berry flavors are admirably brisk and palate-staining. Gains riper cherry and dark berry qualities on the long, gently tannic finish. Serious flavor with minimal weight here. - J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 07)
90 Points
2006 D Ventura, Pena do Lobo
Ribeira Sacra
$19 Medium red. Spicy redcurrant and rhubarb on the nose, with a fine mineral overlay. Tangy, focused red berry flavors benefit from nervy acid lift and show no noticeable tannins. Finishes with excellent precision and mineral grip, with no excess fat. I love this wine's elegance but suspect that some will find it austere. This is the polar opposite of Mollydooker. – J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 07)
91 Points
2006 D Ventura, Viña Caneiro
Ribeira Sacra
$26 Dark red. Intensely aromatic nose offers pungent red berries, minerals and dried flowers. Firm redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors possess admirable energy and a sappy quality, picking up light tannins with air. The tightly wound finish features a deeper bitter cherry quality and outstanding length. I find these wines awfully intriguing. – J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 07)
87 Points
D. Ventura
Viña Caneiro 2005
Ribeira Sacra
$22
Bright red. Fresh, perfumed aromas of cherry, blackberry and licorice. There's good weight and a stony quality to the dark fruit flavors, which are firmed by fine tannins. Finishes with good grip and a lingering note of blackcurrant. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2006)
From The Wine Advocate
2008 D Ventura Vina Caneiro
Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain
$30
The 2008 Vina Caneiro is made from the estate’s steepest vineyard. Dark ruby-colored (the deepest of the 3 cuvees) it displays a similar aromatic profile of earth, herbs, and minerals but here the fruit is on the darker side of the spectrum and is layered on the mid-palate with lots of complexity already in evidence. It could well evolve for several years and should offer much pleasure, both for the intellect and the senses, over the next 6-8 years.
D. Ventura is a new project run by Ramon Losada and his family utilizing old family holdings in Ribeira Sacra, a region known for its stunning landscapes and incredibly steep vineyards. The vineyards are organically farmed, the wines are fermented with native yeasts, and all the wines are bottled without filtration. These 3 offerings are produced from Mencia from different vineyard sites and fermented and aged in stainless steel. Score: 92 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
2008 D Ventura Pena Do Lobo
Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain
$23
The 2008 Pena do Lobo is a bit more terroir driven. Mineral, herb notes, and damp earth aromas along with cherry blossom and black raspberry lead to a wine with bracing acidity balanced by racy red fruits. This lengthy effort should drink well for another 5-6 years.
D. Ventura is a new project run by Ramon Losada and his family utilizing old family holdings in Ribeira Sacra, a region known for its stunning landscapes and incredibly steep vineyards. The vineyards are organically farmed, the wines are fermented with native yeasts, and all the wines are bottled without filtration. These 3 offerings are produced from Mencia from different vineyard sites and fermented and aged in stainless steel. Score: 90 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
2008 D Ventura Vina Do Burato
Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain
$20
The 2008 Vina do Burato is crimson-colored with a nose of mineral, damp earth, cranberry, and black cherry. Medium-bodied and firm on the palate, it has a good core of fruit, plenty of flavor, and a medium-long, fruit-filled finish.
D. Ventura is a new project run by Ramon Losada and his family utilizing old family holdings in Ribeira Sacra, a region known for its stunning landscapes and incredibly steep vineyards. The vineyards are organically farmed, the wines are fermented with native yeasts, and all the wines are bottled without filtration. These 3 offerings are produced from Mencia from different vineyard sites and fermented and aged in stainless steel. Score: 90 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
